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versão On-line ISSN 2309-8309versão impressa ISSN 1681-150X

SA orthop. j. vol.11 no.3 Pretoria Jan. 2012

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Osteoporosis: are we doing the right thing?

The following extract appeared in the American press: 'A woman sustained a fragility fracture, was treated with internal fixation but had another fracture within three months. She sued her surgeon for not treating her osteoporosis and won the case.'

What are the related facts?

Statistics show that 53% of patients have a life-time risk of osteoporosis compared to heart disease (46%), stroke (20%) and breast cancer (10%). Osteoporotic fractures are closely linked to an increase in mortality.

Risk factors for osteoporosis are age, general poor health, dementia, being of either Caucasian or Asian race, previous fragility fracture, positive family history, early menopause, hypogonadism in men and low body mass index (J, 19 kg/m2). Lifestyle factors (dieting, caffeine intake, smoking, alcohol intake, drinking phosphate beverages and lack of physical training) play a major role.

DEXA is still the gold standard for the diagnosis of osteoporosis. Increases in bone density correspond to fracture risk reduction.